Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Minister for S&T and MoES participated in a short cruise onboard RV Sindhu Sadhana from 28th to 29th September 2015. He was accompanied by Dr.Girish Sahni, Director General, CSIR and a 15 member group of journalists and press persons from National television and print media.

During the cruise, Dr. SWA Naqvi, Director and other scientists made presentations on the research programmes of CSIR-NIO, in general, and capabilities of RV SindhuSadhana, in particular. It was mentioned that RV Sindhu Sadhana is the first indigenously built multi-disciplinary research ship that acquired by CSIR-NIO during 2014.

Hon’ble Minister, the DG and presspersons onboard the ship were demonstrated various activities carried out in a typical multi-disciplinary cruise. The activities included (i) underway data acquisition (bathymetry by echosoundres, multibeam systems; sub-bottom data by parametric sonar; currents by ADCP; partial pressure of carbon dioxide in seawater), (ii) CTD profiling and collection of seawater; (iii) sediment sampling with spade corer; biological sampling with HQ net; and various onboard analysis of samples collected.The dignitaries and press party also witnessed deployment of in-house developed Autonomous Vertical Profiler (AVP) and online data receiving techniques.

Subsequently, the honorable Minister and Director General also visited the Institute and interacted with the scientists on 29 September. They were explained about the major contributions of CSIR-NIO in the fields of identifying a minesite for deep-sea minerals in the Indian Ocean, carrying our archaeological surveys for ancient civilisations and shipwreck to reconstruct the history, geophysical studies for exploring the gas hydrates from the seabed, as well as the services offered by CSIR-NIO towards the industry and society in terms of marine pollution, ballast water management, biotechnological research and EIA studies.

Shared his thoughts, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said ” He had a feel of what is being done by NIO in terms of Ocean Science. The vessel has sophisticated laboratories and a lot of bearing for the future challenges; he appreciated the good quality advanced research done by NIO. He further stated that “The Indian Ocean is a huge storehouse of knowledge that can be used for the betterment of mankind”. On the work being done by NIO in Oceanography, he also added that, he is very passionate about science and intends to make it a people’s movement because its knowledge brings rich dividends to the people.

Dr.Girish Sahni, suggested that “In order to motivate students to take up a career in science and research, one has to instil interest in students even while they are in school. Laboratories should demonstrate what kind of research is being done in the country. Interactions with scientists will improve students to think of a career in the direction of science” were his views. He also encouraged the scientists to reorient their research towards solving problems faced by the industry so as to contribute towards the economy of the country and make research more relevant in present day context.